RESPONSE TO PRESENTATION OF PROF. DR. MARSEL KURTIJADE AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD IN NEW DELHI 29.11-03.12.2018

ROMA COME FROM PUJAB AND CHANDIGARH (NORTHERN INDIJA)

After returning from the International conference held in New Delhi, prof. dr. Bajram Haliti (Secretary General of the World Roma Organization and President of the Institute for European Studies of Roma and Research on Crimes againstHumanity and International Law), in agreement with the President of the WRO and the Ambassador for Peace, Jovan Damjanovic, held an online conference with members of the presidency of the WRO .During the online conference dr. Halitibriefed them about the Conference. He pointed outthe fact that the Conference was scheduled on the very significant date forthe history and identity of the Roma people, and that it was a very good opportunity to addressserious issues related to the recognition of Roma by the state of India and the status of Roma in the rest of the world. The legitimacy and importance of the Conference should have been confirmed by thepresence and participation of well-known Roma intellectuals with a global reputation.

Instead, the Conference, was attended by only fewRoma with an academic title. This was insufficient and inadequateconsidering the scope and importance of the topics of theConference, andthe fact that the process of recognizing Roma as the Indian diaspora has not yet begun.

There were also other flaws in the organization of the Conference, howeverthe main issueis that a very important opportunity to address, on the Indian, the injustice that seems to be done to Roma for political and traditional dualism within the Indian political scene, was missed. .

Even those who were present presented different views concerning already adopted postulates regarding the standardization of the Romani language and their history, specifically the part of India of Roma origin, from which most of today's Roma come. This createda unfortunate imageof the lack of agreement amongRoma intellectuals on elementary issues important for the future of Roma.

President of the World Roma Organization and Ambassador forPeace, Jovan Damjanovic, said that he agrees with prof. dr. Bajram Haliti and that the conference did not really have the legitimacy and scientific authority due to the absence of very important Roma representatives from the World and Europe. Instead of them, Dr. Marcel Kurtiarde, as one of the organizers from Europe, brought hisstudents to the Conference as if it was a linguistic and irrelevant event, and not a serious Conference, aiming to, after a thousand years, start a dialogue with the Government of India and the Council for the Indian Diaspora ARSP ICCR about the constitutional and legal status of Roma in the world as a result of the non-recognition of Roma by India as a diaspora.

"I do not have enough information about the reasons for non– attendance and absence ofthe most famous Roma academics, people who have invested half oftheir lives toresearch and verifying Roma origin, history, language, tradition, customs and culture. I only know that Dr. Marcel Kurtiade should answer to this question to the Roma, "concluded Damjanovic. "The impression is that, again personal vanity, egocentrism and selfish interests have taken over this kind of scientific gathering, In this way the struggle of the Roma intellectual elite to resolve the millennium old Gordian knot, which is called the constitutional and legal status of the Roma as an indigenous people originating in India based on international law and principles restored by the UN and the EU, returned several steps backwards. "

"His actiongot the attention away from the international constitutional and legal position of Roma in Europe and the in the world. An important topic that still has not been initiated is that the Roma still do not have protected rights by the Lisbon Constitution, which only recognizes status of national minorities.

The biggest criticism of the Conference is that, due to Professor Kurtijade's presentation, the true genesis of Roma originating from Chandigarh and Punjab was not discussed, as well asracism, xenophobia, segregation, discrimination and new phenomena of neo-Fascism and neo-Nazism in some European countries.

The accent was on new principles of standardization of the Romani language, although the standards had been struck in the 1990s in Warsaw with the signature of 23 academics and a doctor of science from around the world. Without intending to open up a controversy about this topic, I think it was more beneficial for Roma that the Indian public and intellectuals who were present on the Conference are hearing about the consequences that the Roma suffer because of non-recognition by the state of India. The real origin is definitely confirmed by DNA research published in 2012 and every theory after that becomes obscure and, I might say even ridiculous. "said Jovan Damjanovic in his address.

The central theme was the recognition of the Roma by the state of India and the fact that Roma should be recognized as an Indian diaspora that will be protected and guaranteed by the UN International Convention on Human Rights in Europe and the world. This would have provided them protection under theFramework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities(1995)and would have protected the rights of the Convention on Regional and Minority Rights (1992).

Conclusion of the Presidency of the WRO is that we criticize the actionsof Dr Kurtijade regarding the organization and realization of this, for the Roma, one of the most important conferences not only because of the cause, but also because of the fact that it was held in a mother land of Roma People.Instead of promoting Roma asIndian diaspora it turned into a colloquial debate on the subject of the Romany language and part of India from which the largest number of today's Roma came from.

Dr. Marcel Kurtiade's contribution to the research of the Romani language is not disputed, nor is his authority in the field of linguistics. But he does not give him the right to block Roma intellectuals and doctors of law, anthropologists, historians, lawyers and sociologists, who built their reputation in other areas and who did not interfere with the work of Dr. Kurtiade,. We also think that he can’t speak about the historical, anthropological, linguistic and legal fate of the Roma.

We will forward this response to all important organizations dealing with theHuman rights , important European institutions dealing with Roma, and also to certain universities and representatives for the Diaspora in India. Because one thingis to represent the Roma as a nation that is equal to others in the fields of science, culture, art, sports, music and the like, and quite another to fight for the constitutional legal issues of Roma and advocate and lead the Roma people in the struggle for national recognition and collective identity .

The 40th jubilee European Ball of Roma was held on 11 January. In 2019, at the Alexander the Great Hotel in Skopje, the capital of Northern Macedonia. This was one of the most ambitious balls where guests from over twenty countries of Europe and the world were. Bal visited a large number of functionaries and ambassadors who additionally gave the importance of this event. In the evening, guests were entertained by twenty-seven artists, three orchestras who entertained guests until early morning hours. On this ballMiss European Ball was elected. A large number of candidates from different countries participated in the selection. Miss and the first two runner-upsreceived valuable prizes.

On this ball, the President of the World Roma Organization and the Ambassador of Peace, Jovan Damjanovic, gave the greatest recognition to the organizer of the ball and the minister Amdi Bajram for preserving the culture and traditions of the Roma, which at this gathering was unique and top-notch.

Mr. Amdi Bajram thanked the President of the SOR and the ambassador of peace, Jovan Damjanovic, and said that this recognition is an additional incentive for him in the future to work even more on promoting the culture and tradition of Roma.

A large response of over 1500 guests is a record visitation and proof that Mr. Amdi Bajram and his team worked well to improve the culture of Roma.

The 40th jubilee European Ball of Roma was held on 11 January. In 2019, at the Alexander the Great Hotel in Skopje, the capital of Northern Macedonia. This was one of the most ambitious balls where guests from over twenty countries of Europe and the world were. Bal visited a large number of functionaries and ambassadors who additionally gave the importance of this event. In the evening, guests were entertained by twenty-seven artists, three orchestras who entertained guests until early morning hours. On this ballMiss European Ball was elected. A large number of candidates from different countries participated in the selection. Miss and the first two runner-upsreceived valuable prizes.

On this ball, the President of the World Roma Organization and the Ambassador of Peace, Jovan Damjanovic, gave the greatest recognition to the organizer of the ball and the minister Amdi Bajram for preserving the culture and traditions of the Roma, which at this gathering was unique and top-notch.

Mr. Amdi Bajram thanked the President of the SOR and the ambassador of peace, Jovan Damjanovic, and said that this recognition is an additional incentive for him in the future to work even more on promoting the culture and tradition of Roma.

A large response of over 1500 guests is a record visitation and proof that Mr. Amdi Bajram and his team worked well to improve the culture of Roma.

PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT OF WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION AND PIECE AMBASSADOR

INTERNATIONAL ROMA CONFERENCE BUKUREST(ROMANIA)

(DECEMBER 17-19 2018)

During the conference in Bukurest (Romania) that took place on 17th and 18th December over twenty states sent their representatives. One of the main topics was rising extremism whose victims are often Roma people and other minorities groups.

Day one of the conference:

Representative of the International Roma organizations and other roma organizations had discussions and mapped the problems their community is facing. They also tried to find tools to solve the problems and made suggestions that would be discussed further on the meeting in the House of Parliament of Republic of Romania.

Day two of the conference:

Because of very democratic and supportive attitude of state of Romania toward the Roma people, community representativeshad an opportunity to discuss in the House of Parliament problem of raisingextremism in Europe. They had constructive discussions about the problems that Roma community is facing and what tools should be used for prevention of it.

During the conference many suggestions and ideas were taken into consideration. In short period of time organization team will publish the results and conclusions of the conference. One of the main goals is to include more Roma representatives into parliament in their countries and also European parliament.

PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT OF WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION AND AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE

ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST FASCISM AND ANTISEMITISM

On this day, in not so distant 1938, Nazi Germany started its programme of purifying the country and society from Jews, mentally handicapped persons, criminals and other, for them socially, racially and nationally unacceptable groups, among which Roma and Serbs found themselves.

This project of extermination spread to countries such as Fascist Italy and Ustasha Independent State of Croatia, camps established at every turn, swallowing millions of lives.

Unfortunately, repulsion and intolerance towards minorities still live in our region and other countries of Europe. People are oppressed, restricted to a certain living space, expelled, left without any basic human right. We, the Roma, are the most vulnerable to anti-Semitism, continuing to survive on social, economic, political and educational margins.

Each country, which Roma live in, should bear in mind that it is the oldest national minority that has been living on the soil of Europe for 7 centuries. Consequently, each of these states must feel the responsibility and readiness to stand for the Roma unique ethnic, linguistic and cultural minority, providing mechanisms that guarantee equal rights for all, improving the overall status of the Roma issue.

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION'S DELEGATION ON THE RECEPTION WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, TALAT XHAFERI

On Friday, September 14th, 2018, the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi, had a meeting with the delegation of the World Roma Organization, led by the President and Ambassador for Peace, Jovan Damjanovic, consisted of Vice-President of the Parliament of WRO David Romano and member of the Commission for European Affairs Ivica Petrovic.

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION'S DELEGATION ON THE RECEPTION WITH

THE MACEDONIAN MP AMDI BAJRAM

On Thursday, September 13th, 2018, Macedonian MP Amdi Bajram met with the delegation of the World Roma Organization, led by the President and Ambassador for Peace, Jovan Damjanovic, consisted of Vice-President of the Parliament David Romano and member of the Commission for European Affairs Ivica Petrovic, in the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia.

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION'S DELEGATION

AT THE RECEPTION WITH ACTING DIRECTOR OF

THE ADMINISTRATION FOR EXECUTION OF CRIMINAL SANCTIONS, DEJAN CAREVIC

On September 12th, 2018, Acting Director of the Administration for Execution of Criminal Sanctions, Dejan Carevic, received a delegation of the World Roma Organization to discuss the provision of legal assistance to Roma prisoners in penitentiaries.

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION AND AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE

WISH HAPPY EID AL-ADHA

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MEETING WITH THE MINISTER'S ASSISTANT OF THE SECTOR FOR ANTI-DYSCRIMINATION POLICY AND GENDER EQUALITY ENHANCEMENT

On July 5th, 2018, a meeting was held between the President of World Roma Organization and Ambassador for Peace, Jovan Damjanovic, Secretary General of World Roma Organization, Prof. Dr. Bajram Haliti and Minister's Assistant from the Sector for Anti-Discrimination Policy and Gender Equality Enhancement, Nina Mitic.

President Damjanovic emphasized that the adoption of the Action Plan applies the measures defined by the Strategy, which will create conditions for full access to the realization of the human rights for persons of Roma nationality. The Action Plan defines five priority areas: education, housing, employment, health and social protection.

In line with this, both sides agreed that significant improvement has been made in the field of education, and that such trend must be continued with.

PRESS RELEASE

APPOINTING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION AND

AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE FOR HONORARY CITIZEN OF GORZOW WIELKOPOLSKI

AT THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL "ROMANE DYVESA"

On June 6th and 7th, 2018, the 30th anniversary of the Roma culture, songs and plays "Romane Dyvesa" was held in the town of Gorzow Wielkopolski in Poland.

The festival was attended by first-class orchestras from Poland, Romania, Russia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia.

Many guests from the Roma cultural life, as well as city leaders, attended the Festival. The crowd counted over 10,000 delighted with music, dance, and song presented by the Roma orchestras in its fullest, followed by an exceptional visual-stage effects.

Serbia was represented by the Golden Trumpet Orchestra "Dejan Ilic", which received a enormous applause after a very successful performance.

PRESS RELEASE

"ROMA AND SINTI PEOPLE: THE RIGHT TO HOUSING"CONFERENCE HELD IN MAY, 17th/18th, 2018

During two-day conference in Naples (Italy), on May 17 and 18, the standard issue of Roma "The Right to Housing" was discussed.

Besides the President of the World Roma Organization and the Ambassador for Peace, Jovan Damjanovic, a large number of public and political figures from the state of Italy, representatives of Roma umbrella organizations, representatives of the Roma community, as well as representatives of Roma camps from Naples and the surrounding area, participated.

WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION AND

AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE

SEND

RAMADAN GREETINGS

World Roma Organization and President of WRO and Ambassador for Peace, Mr. Jovan Damjanovic, wish a happy and blessed Ramadan to all muslim believers. May all celebrate it in peace, serenity and happiness.

May this great holiday be a reminder of peace, tolerance, importance of mutual appreciation and understanding, as well as the importance of respecting differences and affirmation of the highest values of every national and religious community.

PRESIDENT OF WRO AND AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE ON THE OCCASION OF VICTORY DAY AND EUROPE DAY

The President of the World Roma Organization and Ambassador for Peace considers May 9th a great day, showing that evil and hatred towards people of other religion, race, nationality cannot rule the world. Europe, taught by post-war experiences, has opted for unity, and anti-war environment, in which all its people work together on prosperity, welfare and happy coexistence.

May 9th, 1945 is the Victory Day over Fascism, and since 9th May 1950, Europe has started its path of unification, thanking Robert Schumann, who announces a declaration calling for the establishment of a new order, and therefore the impossibility for conflicting European countries.

Such models should continue to be implemented.

"Fascism is a consequence of intolerance, misunderstanding and unwillingness to get to know and respect differences. Unfortunately, some forms still exist. It must be resolved systematically, all with the help of a strong legislative system.

Unity, diplomacy and common interests on the path of prosperity, the well-being of all people and good neighborly relations are the key to peace and stability. "- said the President and Ambassador for Peace, Jovan Damjanovic.

BOKI MILOSEVIC, A GREAT LEGEND,

HAS LEFT US

World Roma Organization | Press release | President and Ambassador for Peace in Nišava D

PRESIDENT AND AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE IN NIŠAVA DISTRICT

April 10th, 2018, President of World Roma Organization and Ambassador for Peace Jovan Damjanovic, had very constructive discussion with the Chief of Nišava District Dragana Sotirovski. The topics were on Romani cultural activities in Nišava District, and opening of Recycle Centre where Roma would be employed. The Chief Sotirovski supported both items, expressing great desire in solving the long-term problem between the Roma from Niš collecting packaging waste and JKP ''Mediana'' Niš.

EASTER CARD

and

APRIL 8TH - WORLD ROMA DAY

President Xhaferisaid that Macedonia is a country giving special importance to the status of the Roma. He pointed out that there are aspects which should be recognized as a successful example, but there is still a lot of work to be done to fulfill all aspects of the life of the Roma community within society, especially emphasizing the fields of education, infrastructure and health.

Damjanovic expressed great satisfaction being in the Republic of Macedonia, the country whose citizens accepted the Roma as equal citizens, a country that is unique in the region with the municipality where the Roma community lives, whose mayor is of Roma origin, and where Romani is one of the three official languages, a countries which is a rare example of high democracy and respect respect for human rights of national minority among developed countries in Europe.

During the conversation, President Damjanovic asked President Xhaferito do everything in his power to bring about mutual understanding and tolerance between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, so that all disagreements would be solved by dialogue and peaceful means, which President Xhaferiagreed upon.

In addition, Damjanovic pointed the intention of forming the European Roma Political Party, proposing MP Amdi Bajram for the nomination for the presidency of the future Party, as a longtime member of the Macedonian Parliament, who tirelessly works on the interests of Roma and non-Roma, and as a person whose rich experience will contribute to the healthy and successful functioning of the mentioned Party.

Damjanovic stressed that the establishment of the Party and the appointment of its president will be deliberated at the next World Election Congress of the World Roma Organization, upon which the final decision will be made by the Roma representatives from over 25 countries.

President Xhaferiwished success to his interlocutors in further work, pointing out that MP Bajram has got his support and support from the Assembly, and expressed satisfaction for an MP from the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia is proposed for the presidency of the future Party.